Phone Scam Alert
If you get a telephone call from someone demanding money and claiming to be with our office, it’s a scam. Don’t fall for it.
Our office has received numerous inquiries recently from people who suspected they were being targeted by scam artists. They were right to be suspicious. As WFLA TV reports, scammers use different techniques, "such as the callers making accusations of missed jury duty, tax liens and warrants for your arrest."
These scams often rely on sophisticated methods to make it appear that they are calling from a government agency, such as the Clerk's Office. But our office will never call you about such matters. If you receive such a call, hang up and call local law enforcement. Do not provide a credit card number or bank routing number over the phone.
Police in Plant City and Lakeland are investigating complaints about such calls. “One call said that they were to testify as an expert witness and they did not show up so there’s a fine. And the subpoena was signed by the honorable Judge Giddens. Of course they’re trying to say Chief Giddens of the Lakeland Police Department,” Lakeland Police Public Information Officer Gary Gross told WFLA.
You also can file complaints about scam calls to the Federal Trade Commission at www.ftc.gov or (202) 326-2222.